In June 2012, I set out on to explore Scandinavia: 5 countries, 8 cities, and a countless numbers of boat rides and road trips. I ate strange foods, hiked mountains and glaciers, and met up with friends old and new. 

The first stop on my great Scandinavia trip is the Norwegian capital, Oslo. The city is, in one word, sleek. With its nice blend of modern and medieval architecture, Oslo felt very young and hip. I immediately eased into the laidback atmosphere of coffee breaks, welcoming smiles, and slow paces.

Despite this being my first time in Oslo, I knew my way around the city immediately. The entire capital felt unusually familiar to me. After a year away from Europe, it was as if the continent was saying “Welcome Back”.